This Week readers show support for Chihuahua that survived coyote attack

Critter's owner Debbie Graham would like to thank those who came forward to help pay the expenses incurred after her 2-year-old chihuahua Critter was attacked by a coyote at the beginning of this month

This Week readers show they really care about 'critters'

Special to This Week

Critter the chihuahua, who captured the hearts of the community after surviving a coyote attack earlier this month, is on the mend at his home in Ops Township. Although he still bares the teeth marks of his attack, his condition improves daily and thanks to the generosity of This Week readers, his family no longer has to worry about the cost of outstanding vet bills.

This Week readers show they really care about 'critters'2

Special to This Week

Critter the chihuahua, who captured the hearts of the community after surviving a coyote attack earlier this month, is on the mend at his home in Ops Township. Although he still bares the teeth marks of his attack, his condition improves daily and thanks to the generosity of This Week readers, his family no longer has to worry about the cost of outstanding vet bills.

Related Stories

"I've been really moved by the people who have stepped up and helped with this little dog. I wasn't expecting it to that degree. It restored my faith in people, I didn't think people did things like that anymore," says Debbie Graham, who first came to the public's attention after This Week ran a story about her Chihuahua, Critter, who was attacked by a coyote at the beginning of January and miraculously survived.

Critter spent five days in the care of the veterinary professionals at Morris Veterinary Hospital in Lindsay and Cavan Hills Veterinary Services who did all they could to care for the tiny dog and bring him back from the brink of death.

The bills from their services, however, were too much for the family to handle with any sort of immediacy. But when the public was invited to contribute what they could to help out, they responded. The day the article came out, one reader paid the outstanding balance at the vet's office in Cavan, while three others attended the local animal hospital and contributed to bringing the bill down significantly, says Mrs. Graham.

Beyond her gratefulness for the overwhelming outpouring of support from her community, Mrs. Graham says she has been extremely happy to get feedback from other local pet owners that by her sharing her story, she has helped others think twice about the safety of their own pets and take precautions to avoid the same thing happening to another dog.

"That's pretty cool."

As for Critter, he is now off the fentanyl pain patch he had bandaged to his leg and has had the rest of his bandages removed as well. He is also eating better and is able to climb stairs, although he still struggles with coming down.

"Yesterday was the first day I really noticed him getting back to being himself - he's trying to play with the other dogs," Mrs Graham told This Week (Jan. 21.

Now that the healing process is coming to a close, Critter may live to forget his trauma, but the kindness shown to the Graham family will be remembered forever.